Get the LinkedIn Effect

How can you make your CV look more attractive to recruiters?

Job-hunting is a lot like dating: Employers are choosy about who they want, what they have to offer, and who is ‘fit’ for the job before they ask them out on a first interview. Then your looks, attitude, answers to questions and even attire are mercilessly scrutinised before the final selection.

Recruiters are adapting to the world of social media to scout out the latest top talent, so how can you make sure you stand out?

Head for LinkedIn. It’s a recruiters’ dream, with an endless supply of candidates to sift through. Here’s how to make it work for you:

Have a heavyweight headline

Your professional headline should contain the ‘buzz’ words or search terms related to the kind of work you are looking for, as well as what you currently enjoy. This should be no less than two strong sentences to summarise your goals.

Widen your location, broaden your horizons

Your location tells recruiters the area you are most likely to look for jobs, so if you’re putting down a small suburban town in the middle of nowhere on your profile, employers will think you’re not willing to make the commitments to a job situated in a larger city. Ensure your location covers a broad range, Like London or Manchester.

Shower your profile with ‘skill’ buzzwords

Your profile will be more searchable to recruiters if they are typing in the keywords that appear on your profile, but they must be connected with your skills. Try to include as many skills that reflect your achievements and potential. Words such as ‘creative’, ‘sales’, ‘management’ or ‘innovator’ are sure to catch the eye.

Show off your personality

Your LinkedIn profile isn’t as formal as your own written CV, so you can be more conversational and inject some personality into your profile. The tone of your language will let recruiters know what kind of flair and creativity you have as an individual to work with – they hire people, not just words on a CV.

A face is worth a thousand words

LinkedIn profiles with pictures are more likely to get a larger response from recruiters than those that don’t. It puts a face to the person, showing credibility to a potential employer, so it’s important to represent yourself in the right way – bear in mind that a creative person’s profile picture will perhaps be more different than someone’s photo who works in finance.

Take a professional (or professional-looking) photo; employers want to see how you’ll look when you meet their customers or clients. Remember to flatter your face, but not mislead or appear ‘photoshopped’.

Ask for recommendations, and give them too

Receiving recommendations from influential people you have worked with can boost the rankings of your profile and link to theirs, so that recruiters become aware of your achievements. Offer to write recommendations to those who give you one in order to sustain long-term relationships.